AS the British Horseracing Authority Head of Handicapping Liverpool-born Phil Smith is used to trainers bemoaning the weights their horses are given.

AS the British Horseracing Authority Head of Handicapping Liverpool-born Phil Smith is used to trainers bemoaning the weights their horses are given.

The former schoolteacher from Allerton had plenty of run-ins in particular with the late Ginger McCain over his handicapping methods when it comes to the world‘s greatest steeplechase.

So he was well equipped to defend himself against the usual backlash from an irate handler when he unveiled the weights for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National at the Savoy Hotel in London. And the former Quarrybank pupil was adamant he had framed the handicap for the Aintree showpiece correctly.

His decision to allow Paul Nicholls’ Tidal Bay - who is top weight on 11st10lb - the chance to race from a mark 9lb lower than his official rating was not a popular with some.

On this occasion it was the wrath of trainer Ted Walsh, which Smith was facing. The Irish trainer appeared bemused by the situation, as last year’s third Seabass received only 8lb from Tidal Bay rather than the much bigger gulf that might have been expected on the basis of their ratings.

Smith, who has been framing the handicap for the Aintree marathon for the past 15 years, is allowed to use his discretion for the National in order to attract higher-class horses to take their chance in handicap company, taking into account various factors.

After last year’s narrow victory of Neptune Collonges helped vindicate his system, Smith was happy with the fruits of his labour of love once more.

He said: “He (Seabass) is carrying 11st2lb this year - the last four winners have carried 11st plus - and he was third last year. Horses have a very good record coming back a second time, and I thought he had a reasonably good chance.

“The horse’s (Tidal Bay real rating is 171 and he has achieved that twice this year in the Hennessy and in the Lexus.

“In this race he is going to run off 162 and the theory behind it is that if he can replicate his Lexus run, he has got a chance of winning. The problem is, it’s a completely different race.

“It’s four and a half miles over 30 fences. If I’d left it as it is, he’d probably have to perform to 180 to win it but he’s a 12-year-old and I don’t think anyone would believe he could perform to that level. So I’ve compressed his weight, and some of the other horses at the top, in order to give them a chance of winning.”

Walsh, who won the National with Papillon in 2000, wasn’t happy with Smith’s rating and had said: “I don’t know how Seabass can get over 11st this year if Tidal Bay is rated 171 and my horse is rated 154.

“Whatever Phil Smith does, he does - it is immaterial to me and I can’t change it. But you don’t have to be a great mathematician to subtract 54 from 71.”

Smith, though, believes partly down his efforts in compressing the weights that the National is attracting the better class chasers year on year.

This year Jonjo O’Neill’s dual Ryanair winner Albertas Run second top-weight in on 11st8lb, and 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander on 11st6lb are among a host of top names.

Smith added: “It’s great for the race as the top three have won 10 Grade Ones between them.

“We are always talking about wanting high-quality horses to run and set the high standard the race deserves. We’ve definitely got that this year with Tidal Bay, Albertas Run and Imperial Commander.

“In Imperial Commander, I never thought I’d have a Gold Cup winner that wasn’t top or second top weight. Who’s to say how good he is, because we’ve only seen him race once in the last two years.”

With the recent wet weather scuppering plenty of potential form lines, Smith may have had a tougher job than in some previous years. And as always a few of the runners gave him trouble in ascertaining what should be their mark.

He said: “Imperial Commander was one, as his comeback run wasn't anything like as good as I thought he was capable of achieving.

“The job of the handicapper is is to provide a puzzle which is difficult for the public to solve, and hopefully I’ve done that with him.

“The others were unusually further down the weights in Wyck Hill and The Rainbow Hunter. Wyck Hill won a race at Ascot some time ago which looked a nothing race at the time and I only put him up 4lb but the second horse Katenko has gone onwards and upwards and I’ve had to put Wyck Hill up twice while standing in his box. After Katenko won the other day, I thought about putting him up a third time but I really only do that in very exceptional circumstances.

“The Rainbow Hunter is almost a carbon copy, except that he was pulled up on his most recent run, but the second, third and fourth from his previous win have all won since and that could turn out to be a very good form.”